Doors and Windows

After an incredible week in Colorado, I was on my last jog on Cherry Creek Thursday morning. As I left Riverside Park I walked past a girl in the middle of a conversation on her cell phone. Just as our paths crossed I heard her say, "when God closes a door He opens a window". Of course, I have used this saying before as I'm sure you have as well.

As I have pondered the events of the past week and what this phrase might mean in relation to my adventure, I must digress and tell you more about said events.

After meeting Allison and then talking to the security guard again, I failed to tell you that Will, the security guard, attends Jubilee Fellowship Church. On the surface, this is no special data to process. But, as I dug deeper, I found that my Church in Charleston helped Jubilee expand their ministry by adopting the campus approach to reaching more people. Seacoast "stumbled" on this concept several years ago due to zoning restrictions at the main campus. Since then they have been training other churches on how to do the same thing. Of course I don't believe for a minute that they stumbled on anything. As is with God, many times we look for a door and He shows us a window.

This is what I believe God did at least a few times in Denver. I had been wanting to stay in the Washington Park area again but God had other plans. I would not have met the great people I did nor experienced the many ways He used me in Lower Downtown, known as LODO.

The main reason for my trip was to meet Tim Tebow and discuss working with him and his foundation. This did not happen as I had hoped or did it... I have yet to see the fruit of my steps of faith and obedience but I was very aware of the Spirits presence and moving in and through me.

Over the last few days in Denver I began praying about what I might do to be more valiant and chase my lion as Beniah did in 2 Samuel 23. The thought popped into my head on Sunday to make a poster with a bible verse on it and hold it up at a Broncos practice. I had two practices left to decide. Tuesday mornings practice came and went and the sense of urgency grew. After the morning practice I drove over to Jubilee Fellowship to check it out. First I met Ben the youth pastor. I briefly shared my story with him and then he prayed with me.

I then met Jessie, a worship leader who gave me the fifty cent tour. During our time together I shared my story with him and found out that His Dad was instrumental in planting Seacoast Church- the Church I have worshipped at for the past 6 years.

What a blessing to meet these two servants and be reminded of the amazing ways in which God works. It is no coincidence that I met Will who attends Jubilee and that Jubilee has a big connection with Seacoast. God is the Master Maestro and His music is sweet as He moves and weaves through our lives. It still astounds me that the Creator of the universe chooses to live and move through me!

As the final practice approached I decided to stop at Target and buy poster board and markers. So,there I was, in the Target parking lot making a poster on the hood of my rental car. My next dilemma was what verse I would put on the poster. Verses that have been instrumental in my life as well as Tim's popped into my head but I was steered to 2 Timothy 1:7-

For God has not given us a Spirit of timidity but a Spirit of power and of love and of self discipline.

As I held up the poster I drew much attention to God's word and of this I was thankful. As God has been reminding me to overcome my fears and live out loud I was impressed by the Spirit to go with this verse. I found it to be as much for me as it was for those who saw it. As passionate followers of Christ, we must not fear looking foolish for the cause of Christ.

Halfway through the practice I was approached by Les from Yahoo Sports. He had seen my sign and asked If I would talk with him about Tim Tebow. This, I believe, is the window that God opened for me. I was looking for a door to Tim and God did the old end around through a window. By the end of our 20 minute interview, Les had "pulled" out my story and the reason I was there. I still shake my head and laugh when I think of this. It's really cool when the Holy Spirit is your publicist! If we are meant to do something He will make sure it happens. Of this we can be absolutely sure. It is our job to trust and obey. To drop any illusions of control we hold onto and submit our lives to the one who holds the world in His hands!

As I was back at Seacoast Church today, pastor Greg spoke of taking the scenic route with God- the road less traveled. He used his time in Colorado this summer as an illustration. He spoke of how we "like sheep" are prone to take shortcuts and try life our way, steering away from the path God has for us. His path is definitely not the quickest way from point a to b. In fact, It is a narrow two lane road filled with perils and peeks, grand vistas and dark valleys. It is a life of trust and obedience with new adventures of faith around each bend in the road.

Our human nature shuns this path in lieu of the broad high speed short cut that leads us to our desires for peace, prosperity and happiness. "Our path" does not promote trust and faith but a false life of certainty and control.

Proverbs 14:12

12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.

As we see, the broad path of our control leads to death- separation from God and our eternal blessings in Christ.

As I have walked this winding path with the Spirit I have found life to be rich and a compete blast. We don't have to fear where our loving God will lead us. His paths, though hard and lonely at times, are always the only path worth taking. He will never leave nor forsake us but will always be right by our side- even when we don't sense His presence. After all, we have the Spirit of the living God living within us!

Oh, mystery of mysteries! Emmanuel, God with us! But as we see in the Gospel of John- the Holy Spirit has come to not only be with us, but dwell in us!

John 15:5

5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

As Paul said in Colossians 1:27

27) To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

So, here I am back in the swamp, waiting to see what is around the next turn on my path with the Goose. I am ever convinced that it will be wild because, after all, we serve a wild and awesome God.

Prayer- Oh Jesus, thank you for your amazing love for me! As I worshiped in Church today, I was so aware of this love that led you to the cross- to Calvary- to suffer the pain and shame that was meant for me. As tears of joy flowed I was reminded that you chose to make your home in my heart. That's it! It always comes back to my heart! As I am in touch with my new heart, I am in touch with you. Welcome Home!